06. The Mei Empire participates in the war

* * *

 

 

 

“It’s been a while, Unni.”

 

Isla, having arrived in Kora, greeted her as if she was glad to see her.

Iliana also welcomed her with a brightened expression.

 

 

“Oh! Welcome, Isla.”

 

Iliana offered her a chair and sat across from her.

A soldier approached and arranged refreshments.

 

 

“I heard there’s a problem.”

 

Originally, Isla’s role was to support supplies from the rear, and she had no connection to this kind of front line.

She only came because of Iliana’s urgent summons.

 

 

“It’s a big problem. Aran took only 10,000 cavalry and entered the Northern Peninsula.”

“Huh?”

“It’s a stupid thing to do. What’s even stupider is that it was done under the commander’s orders.”

“If it’s the commander… isn’t that you, Unni?”

“I handed it over to Huana a while ago. She seems to be greedy for the throne anyway.”

“Oh my…”

 

But that Huana caused an accident.

Even though he was adopted, she drove a prince of a nation to his death.

 

Iliana took a sip of tea and then slammed it down roughly.

 

 

“It’s like this even now. It’ll get worse when she becomes Empress.”

“I knew Huana Unni didn’t like Aran, but I didn’t think she’d go that far…”

“I didn’t think so either, but that ‘what if’ actually happened.”

 

Isla looked worried.

 

 

“Actually, Huana Unni doesn’t like any of us, does she?”

“She sees us as potential rivals.”

“Then aren’t we worried too?”

“She wouldn’t do that to her own sisters. Aran was adopted and he’s a man. I think that’s why.”

“Aigoo… It’s meaningless to keep Aran in check.”

“It’s not so much keeping him in check as just disliking men, that kid does.”

 

She wasn’t like that when she was young.

 

 

Iliana muttered quietly.

She still saw Huana’s pure appearance in her eyes.

 

 

“More importantly, is my job still… to sneak Aran out?”

“…Yes. I hope you can at least bring Aran back. Mother would want that too.”

“…Okay.”

 

 

She nodded heavily.

 

 

As a Tier 5 magic user, it’s not difficult to get Aran out.

The problem is that she can only get Aran ‘alone’.

 

 

She was also bothered by that, but she also recognized that it couldn’t be helped.

 

 

“But Unni, how far did you go?”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

“Oh, come on. Your relationship with Aran. You’ve been aiming for him all along.”

“Ah, you mean that.”

“You sang about it so much, surely there hasn’t been any progress yet, right?”

 

 

A normal woman would have asked how siblings could do such a thing, but she was indeed Cornelia’s daughter.

 

“Heh.”

 

 

Iliana let out a haughty laugh.

 

 

“I took care of it a long time ago. Who do you think I am?”

“Oh my…”

 

Isla blushed at her confidence.

 

 

“You’re truly a new woman following in your mother’s footsteps!”

“Well, that’s right.”

 

 

Although it wasn’t true, the two women agreed with each other and talked about this and that.

 

 

 

“Then, I’m counting on you, Isla.”

“Just leave it to me. I’ll definitely bring Aran back.”

 

 

Having resolved to do so, she disappeared with a *sreureuk*.

She had cast teleportation.

 

“…Stay alive, Aran.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

 

“Srodia’s siege is imminent.”

 

 

Hancock, who made a visor with his hand and put it on his forehead, reported.

The shape itself looked like he was on a trip, but his expression was quite serious, so there was a slight sense of incongruity.

 

 

No, seriousness didn’t suit her in the first place.

 

“It looks like they’re going to hole up and lay siege.”

“I guess so. Sieges are the most effective against cavalry. Your Highness took care of the archers…”

 

It must be amazing even after thinking about it again. She stared at Aran.

 

 

“What exactly are you?”

“…Isn’t that a bit much coming from a count?”

“No, well… Your Highness is just too amazing.”

 

She smiled awkwardly and took a few steps back.

 

 

“Starting with the ramparts, you’re really amazing.”

“Isn’t it time to stop talking about that?!”

“Oh my, what about Your Highness’s ramparts?”

“Don’t be surprised. His Highness is a whopping…”

“Okay, let’s go, quickly.”

 

Aran grabbed Hancock, who was about to leak heavenly secrets, and put her on the horse.

 

 

“Ugh. Don’t be too ashamed, Your Highness. It’s only natural for a man…”

“You don’t think so, do you?”

“Ah, was I found out…”

“Found out or not, your actions so far prove it.”

 

 

Aran also got on his horse.

 

 

“Your Highness, I am ready to accept anything.”

“Don’t say it so dramatically!”

 

 

Aran’s ramparts aren’t anything special.

It’s just a little (?) out of the ordinary.

Even that has only been done to Estelle or Duke Ainu so far.

 

 

“Anyway, let’s go quickly. It’s right in front of us, there’s no need to delay.”

 

 

Aran, who turned his head sulkily, grabbed the reins.

 

 

 

“Is it over? I’m interested in the Prince’s ramparts.”

 

An unfamiliar but familiar voice was heard from behind.

 

 

“!!”

 

 

The woman he had met just a few days ago.

A woman he didn’t want to meet, but on the other hand, wanted to meet.

 

 

It was Yuri Yuri, the Duchess of the May Empire.

Like her previous appearance, she was standing in the middle of the military camp without any sound or sign.

 

The soldiers were surprised and drew their weapons, and Hancock and Lamias jumped in front of Aran, ready to attack at any moment.

 

 

“Duchess Yuri…”

“I’m honored that you remember my name, Your Highness the Prince.”

“Not Your Highness, but Your Majesty!”

 

 

Hancock shouted, but Yuri didn’t care at all.

What does it matter if he’s a prince or an emperor?

He’s going to be the sex slave of a greedy emperor anyway.

It’s a meaningless distinction.

 

 

She drew her sword.

 

 

“Today, I came to serve Your Majesty for sure. So, there’s no being lenient like last time.”

 

She approached within striking distance in an instant.

It felt like she would stab her sword into Aran’s chest at any moment.

 

 

“!”

 

 

Aran moved it greatly to avoid it, and then spun around and drew his sword.

The sword was drawn at a terrifying speed as the rotational force and the force of drawing the sword were combined.

 

 

“Oof!”

 

 

Feeling a dangerous sensation, she jumped away, and several trees behind her were uprooted.

 

 

“Whew~ You’re amazing as expected. Your Majesty is the only man I acknowledge.”

Aran glared at her without saying a word.

 

I’ll win today.

 

 

There will be no more allowing entry as if possessed like last time.

 

 

“Your Majesty!”

“Hancock! Take the soldiers and get out of here!”

“But…”

“Hurry!”

 

 

The soldiers will only get in the way if they’re here.

 

 

Realizing that, she nodded.

 

 

“Lamias, I’ll give you my authority temporarily, so command the soldiers.”

“Yes? What about Your Majesty?”

“I’ll protect His Majesty. That’s my mission.”

“……Okay.”

 

Hancock stood next to Aran.

 

 

“? What are you doing? I told you to go quickly.”

“Your Majesty, I’m much stronger than you think.”

“?”

“Hoo, so you’re not just a talkative girl. What can you do to stay here?”

“Shut up. I’ll make you into minced meat. Ah, no. I’ll make you into a special tool for our lewd prince’s sex treatment.”

“Don’t say such embarrassing things!”

“Hehe. How interesting. But war is not fun.”

 

 

She attacked Hancock first, the intruder.

 

In a 1-to-many fight, the standard is to knock down the weak first.

 

She saw Hancock as the weak one and attacked.

 

 

 

 

However,

 

 

 

“You have to pick your fights.”

 

Hancock was not easy to deal with.

 

 

She not only blocked Yuri’s attack, but also launched a counterattack.

Yuri had a small wound on her cheek.

 

 

“…Oh my?”

 

Yuri, who jumped back, made a serious expression.

 

 

“…Hiyah, this is no fun at all.”

 

Tier 6 is on a different level than Tier 5.

Being able to stand up to Tier 6 means that the person is also Tier 6 or higher.

 

 

In other words,

Hancock was also at least a Tier 6 knight.

 

 

A Tier 6 knight with tremendous value that even the Empire would keep secret.

To think that a Tier 6 knight is in a country, even in the barbaric Basa Kingdom. It was truly absurd.

 

 

“I have no choice but to admit it. We have been underestimating you too much.”

 

 

She was deeply moved.

She ignored them as barbarians and didn’t even bother to look at their power.

That mistake.

It has come back like this.

 

 

“Hancock?”

“Your Majesty. Being able to read and respond to the movements of Tier 6 means that you are either Tier 6 or a more skilled person.”

“…Come to think of it, back then,”

 

When Aran jokingly went behind Hancock, she grabbed Aran without hesitation.

 

That means Hancock also has that level of skill.

 

 

“…I can’t believe it. That dimwitted Hancock is a Tier 6 knight.”

“Dimwitted! What are you talking about!”

“How should I put it… It’s like you don’t allow even a single grain of seriousness. It’s just like a gag character.”

“That’s too rude!”

 

The two of them were joking around leisurely even with a formidable enemy named Yuri in front of them.

They were relieved because it was 2-on-1 in terms of numbers.

 

 

“Hehe. This is… I guess I’m past my prime. To be ignored like this by a junior.”

 

Yuri, whose pride was hurt, moved with great force.

This time, Aran was the target.

 

 

“It’s okay to cut off a leg or two, right? You can regenerate anyway!”

 

 

When she swung her sword, the floor cracked as if a volcano had erupted, and lava gushed out.

 

 

“Are you a monster!!”

 

Aran also swung his sword accordingly.

 

*Kaang!*

 

The two repeated collisions at a speed that the human eye could not see.

It created a shape like two lights dancing with each other.

 

 

“Don’t forget about me either.”

 

Hancock also joined in, and three lights danced.

 

Of course, there was no waltz, only the sound and scene of destruction.

 

 

Every time they collided, the ground was turned upside down, mountains collapsed, and the clouds high in the sky burst with a *peong*.

A battle that was too divine to be called a human battle.

The soldiers who were watching (?) under the protection of the shield were all spaced out.

 

 

“T, they’re not human…!”

“A man with that kind of ability…”

“Cool…!”

 

 

 

 

 

“Heuaaaap!”

“You’re persistent!”

 

Yuri was strong.

Even while fighting Aran and Hancock at the same time, she had no injuries other than the first scratch.

On the other hand, Aran already had blood flowing from three or four places, and Hancock was also kicked in the abdomen.

 

 

“You’re really a cockroach!”

“I know! Watch your language!”

 

 

*Kuaang!*

 

 

As if more power than before was put into it, the shock wave spread out in a spherical shape, crushing trees and grass.

Also, the high mountains of Srodia lowered their bodies in fear.

 

 

‘If this goes on, it’ll be a war of attrition… Before that!’

 

 

Aran swung his sword greatly to push Yuri away and took out his bow.

 

 

‘A bow…?’

 

 

Then, he pulled the bowstring and gathered mana at superhuman speed.

 

 

“Infinite Ballista!”

 

 

A technique used while showing off his terrible naming sense.

 

 

It was a technique that only Aran, who had infinite mana, could use, and it was more like a large-scale bombing than an archer’s technique.

A comparable power would be multiple Hellfires from a Tier 5 magic user or higher.

 

 

The ballista that Aran fired split into countless branches in the air, threatening Yuri.

 

 

“Heot!”

 

 

She was horrified and landed on the ground.

 

 

“Sand Shield!”

 

 

When she stomped her foot, the soil and rocks on the ground were shattered into powder and rose up due to the reaction.

And it gathered to sacrifice itself and formed a solid armor.

 

 

Aran’s Infinite Ballista reached her around that time.

 

 

 

 

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

A tremendous explosion that no one had ever experienced before.

Even the sound was suppressed by the momentum and not transmitted.

All that was left was an overwhelming sight.

 

 

The huge vibration spread not only to Srodia’s temporary adjustment and old capital nearby, but also to the May Empire’s capital, Je-do Yueun, and the Persian Empire’s capital, Constantinople.

 

Even if she’s a Tier 6 knight, with this much…

 

 

“Eueueueueueuek!!! Your Majesty!! What on earth are you doing!!!!”

 

Hancock ran over with an angry expression.

 

 

“Huh? Ah… I couldn’t help it if it was environmental destruction. If I didn’t do this, Duchess Yuri would…”

“What are you going to do if you blow away Your Majesty’s precious and precious sex treatment tool like this!”

“….”

 

Right. There’s no way this woman would have normal worries.

 

 

Just as Aran was about to flick her forehead,

 

 

 

 

 

“Hiyah~. You’re really amazing. How long has it been since I’ve been so impressed.”

 

 

 

 

Yuri, who was thought to be dead, was alive.

 

 

“It hurts, Your Majesty.”